UK Horse Racing Tips: Punchestown

Willie Mullins has won five of the last six renewals and looks to have a strong hand, saddling both last year's scorer Laurina and ELFILE. The former is well clear on official figures but has questions to answer after failing to complete on her last couple of starts over fences, so preference is for Kenneth Alexander's mare. She doesn't know how to run a bad race and the form of her latest second at Leopardstown is rock solid. Black Tears was third that day and has since won a handicap at the same track. She shouldn't be underestimated.
Prediction : 1st Elfile 2nd Black Tears 3rd Laurina

Last Minute Man continues to knock on the door and would appear to hold Fils Spirituel on their recent Navan clash, while Foxy Jacks has also been running well in defeat and is a must for the shortlist. Point-to-point scorer Eklat De Rire is respected representing last year's winning connections, but a chance is taken on LUCKY ONE. The five-year-old shaped with promise in a couple of starts in France during the autumn of 2018 and, despite a 464-day absence, he is likely to be ready to roll on his first start for Willie Mullins.
Prediction : 1st Lucky One 2nd Last Minute Man 3rd Foxy Jacks

The Broghie Man has posted a number of solid efforts in defeat, including when runner-up the last twice, and he should give another good account, but preference is for the less exposed GOAHEADWITHTHEPLAN. He was three places in front of the former when fourth on his hurdling debut at Navan in December and normal improvement can see him confirm that form en route to opening his account. Bal De Rio and Shortcross Storm are others to watch out for.
Prediction : 1st Goaheadwiththeplan 2nd The Broghie Man 3rd Bal De Rio

ROYAL THIEF looked to be all about stamina when scoring at Thurles last time and could take some stopping here representing Gigginstown House Stud. The six-year-old is a lazy type who will probably do better over fences, but cheekpieces may sharpen him up and a mark of 129 seems fair ahead of his handicap debut. Relegate has changed hands since last seen finishing fifth in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown last year, while Argumental may prove best of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Royal Thief 2nd Relegate 3rd Argumental

MISS PERNICKETY bumped into an above-average mare when second at Limerick last time and would prove tough to stop if running to that sort of level once more. Joseph O'Brien's charge relishes a battle and soft ground is no problem for her. Tucanae took a big step forward from her debut under Rules when scoring at Limerick (bumper) on St Stephen's Day on testing ground, while Fort Worth Texas could be one for the each-way player.
Prediction : 1st Miss Pernickety 2nd Tucanae 3rd Fort Worth Texas

Mlily picked up minor money off this mark over this trip at Fairyhouse last time and is expected to remain competitive, but narrow preference is for FOURINA, who didn't appear to get home over an extended 2m7f at Thurles last time and could benefit from the drop back to this shorter trip. Mark Fahey's charge makes more appeal on her 2m5f Tramore third on her penultimate outing. My Lovely Boy ran well for a long way until falling late on at Clonmel last time and also enters calculations.
Prediction : 1st Fourina 2nd Mlily 3rd My Lovely Boy

The form standard set by those with a run to their name is very ordinary and the newcomers look the ones to focus on. Any money for Gordon Elliott's GLENVEAGH PARK, who is a half-sister to five winners, would be noteworthy. Cool Petra is expected to know her job first time out and should show up well for Henry de Bromhead, while it would come as no surprise to see Part Time Farmer go well on debut given he's a brother to useful bumper and hurdles winner I Shot The Sheriff.
Prediction : 1st Glenveagh Park 2nd Part Time Farmer 3rd Cool Petra

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